Exciting Head of Finance role at School Space, an impact-driven social enterprise paving the way for better education.
Overview
£55000 - £65000
London / Remote
Expires at anytime
Organisation summary
School Space, founded in 2011, is a vibrant social enterprise that partners with UK schools to utilise their premises during off-hours for community-related activities. The income from space hiring boosts learning experiences and facilities for students while enhancing community relations. Being a part of our team offers exposure to a multitude of exciting programs and the opportunity to contribute to a mission that's reshaping the education sector. Our core values are Transparency, Positivity, Initiative, Community, Passion and Learning.
Role Summary
- Manage the in-house finance function amid the next phase of growth, report directly to CEO.
- Own the oversight over cash flow, manage accounting, payment functions, and ensure financial accuracy.
- Line manage the existing finance team and liaise with external partners.
- Set and manage the organisation's financial systems and policies.
Role Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; professional certification.
- Strong leadership skills, experience in owning finance functions in fast-growing organisations.
- Experience in developing financial policies, and ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
- Minimum 3 years experience in financial roles in UK-based schools.
- Comfortable with tech tools such as Slack.
Application Process Details
- Applications should be submitted by 12 PM on the 26th June 2025.
- Interviews are scheduled for the W/C 30th June 2025.
- Preferred start date is September 2025.
- Queries about the role can be addressed to team@school-space.org.
Applications close: 12pm on 26th June 2025
Interview date:W/C 30th June 2025
Preferred Start date: September 2025
Location: London based at our office in Hoxton (but hybrid or remote working possible for the right candidate). Most of our team work 2 days a week in the office. Once a quarter we have a whole company OKR day, where you will need to travel to London
Hours: 9:00 - 17:30, three days a week. We are flexible on how these three days are worked
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum, pro rata
Contract Type: Part time, Permanent
School Space has many of its events taking place in the evenings and weekends. Therefore as part of our Senior Leadership team there is an expectation that one weekend in every seven you would be an on call escalation point (any time worked taken back as TOIL)
About us
School Space aims to create thriving schools at the centre of thriving communities. We do this by partnering with schools across the UK to hire out their spaces in the evenings and weekends to a range of community groups. The income generated is used by our partner schools to improve educational outcomes and facilities for their students, in addition to building a stronger connection with the surrounding community.
Our culture
Since we were founded as a social enterprise by two school students in 2011, we've grown to become a tight knit team of around 25 people who are united by a goal of changing the education sector for the better. We also have a fabulous remote team of over 150 Community Connectors who work at our partner schools in the evenings and weekends.
You will become part of a team who have generated over £5.5 million for schools, taken part in prestigious programs by top names such as Techstars and Goldman Sachs, and been recognised as one of Escape the City’s 100 best organisations to escape to, finalists in the UK’s best Social Enterprise award, and winners of Digital Agenda’s Impact Tech award.
From working directly with the founders, to regular training days, daily stand-ups and socials, we encourage all team members to contribute to our culture and aim to develop every team member at School Space. We are a fast paced work place with a friendly atmosphere - working at School Space will expose you to many new learning opportunities and a chance to have a say in the growth and development of a company striving to create a big impact. Our core values are Transparency, Positivity, Initiative, Community, Passion and Learning - and if selected to interview with us we will be assessing whether you evidence these.
Why does this role exist?
Our operation covers 60 schools (and growing), 250+ incredible part-time Community Connectors (the amazing people who open and close our schools) and thousands of events annually.
Our Head of Finance will be responsible for owning our in-house finance function as the business goes through the next phase of growth. You will have support from our outsourced CFO (1 day per month) but lead internally, reporting into the CEO. You will be passionate about our social mission, and bring a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on operational experience to our existing finance team.
What will you be accountable for?
Financial Management
You will own the finance function at School Space, taking responsibility for cash flow oversight, managing accounting, payment functions, and ensuring financial accuracy. This will include:
- Compliance (overseeing tax filings, working alongside our accountants to ensure adherence to laws and standards),
- Reporting (preparing financial statements, management reports, and working closely with the CEO on analysing financial trends and variance analysis) and
- Budgeting (developing and monitoring budgets, liaising between the CEO and Senior Leadership on these).
Line Management
You will line manage our wonderful existing finance team (two part time including one remote) who manage our day-to-day financial operation, ensuring their workload is planned and they have the support to thrive in their roles. You will also liaise with our external partners (outsourced CFO, Accountants and payroll provider).
System Optimisation
School Space is growing fast, and your role will bring increased oversight and management of our finance function. It will be your responsibility to own and develop financial systems and policies, ensuring that our team workload and responsibilities are refined as the business grows. You will be responsible for implementing implementing controls, mitigating risks, and developing policies to set us up for the future growth of School Space.
How will you know it’s going brilliantly?
- Financial reporting is conducted in an accurate and timely manner; including monthly management accounts, monthly cashflow forecasting and variance analysis
- You maintain robust cash flow management principles through the oversight and management of our payables and receivables, liaising closely with the CEO on this
- Our internal financial controls and compliance are maintained, with quarterly and annual deadlines met
- Your team are well supported and effectively managed, ensuring that they have the tools and resources to effectively execute on their responsibilities
- You contribute to the strategic direction of the business, including actively participating in School Space’s Senior Leadership Team, working closely with the CEO on financial planning, and inputting to cost reduction strategies
What will help you succeed in this role?
- A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; professional certification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) is required
- Experience in owning finance functions in scale up or fast growing organisations, including reporting and advising senior leadership
- Substantial experience developing financial policies, in particular refining processes through business growth
- Ability to operate comfortably at both strategic and operational levels.
- Minimum of a total of 3 years of experience in the finance function of organisations headquartered in the UK
- Strong leadership skills, with two years of management experience (ideally a remote team) and successfully liaising with external partners e.g. fractional CFO, bookkeeper, tax advisor, etc
- Fluency in spoken and written English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills, comfort with using basic tech tools such as slack
School Space Safeguarding Statement
School Space believes that no child or vulnerable person should ever have to experience abuse of any kind. School Space is committed to the safeguarding of children and recognises that as an organisation we have a responsibility to ensure all our staff members are trained and supported to recognise safeguarding concerns and that we promote safeguarding best practice. We aim to foster an understanding in each of our team members of their safeguarding responsibilities, whilst putting in place procedures to support everyone who uses a school space to safeguard children's wellbeing and protect them from harm.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
If you have any questions about the role you are also welcome to contact us on [email removed - click apply for more details].